The advice and rantings of a Hollywood script reader tired of seeing screenwriters make the same mistakes, saving the world from bad writing one screenplay at a time. Learn what it takes to get your script past one of these mythical Gatekeepers.

I wouldn't. A couple people have put spec scripts like that up there before and though one of them was spotlit in the weekly email, I feel like most users of the Black List will skip right past it because only Warner Bros could buy the script and those at WB probably are more inclined to put a "name" writer on it.

Yes, there's always the chance that it could be used as a writing sample, but I think that the odds are pretty long of having luck with a script based on existing IP. I discuss that in this video.

I ended up plunking out for a professional review. I am going to paste it here because my case is a little unusual -- I am *not* someone trying to break into Hollywood scriptwriting as a living. Instead, I'm a Wonder Woman fan who is invested in one specific property. And there might be other writers who are similarly invested in a specific IP and wondering if The Black List would be a good place to promote their scripts.

In general, I think the Bitter Script Reader's advice is right. The Black List is not a great way to get your script in front of the SPECIFIC rights-holders who would need to move forward on these kinds of properties.

However, it *is* a good way to get some informed feedback on your work. Here is the review I paid for, which as you'll see is quite knowledgeable about the specifics of the Wonder Woman franchise:

***Logline:

Warrior princess DIANA journeys from her secluded Amazon island- frozen in ancient Greek mythology- to the modern world. Diana must team with COLONEL STEVE TREVOR to stop an evil plot by ARES, the God of War.

Strengths:

“Wonder Woman” is a faithful, sincere, and exciting adaptation of the most famous super-heroine in comics. Diana is a likeable and well-written heroine. She is believably new and skeptical to the modern world of men, but she comes to adopt it, accept her responsibility and rise to the occasion to save the world. It is refreshing that Steve is not portrayed as chauvinistic or incompetent to contrast with Diana. He is a competent and likeable supporting character, providing a valuable ally to Diana without detracting from her as the lead. The tone is good and manages to portray the Greek mythology and Wonder Woman’s comic book character without being campy. It takes its subject material seriously, but is still a lot of fun. The action scenes are great, and we can see Diana’s fighting prowess why she truly is the warrior princess. There are good visuals as well. The lizard men are especially menacing and make for a good threat for Diana to fight.

Weaknesses:

The script is a little short, a little light, and could be more epic for Wonder Woman's cinematic debut. Diana’s introduction to the modern world is a little inconsistent. She comes to America fluent in English, but she has to keep asking questions about simple protocol and slang terms, just for the sake of some mild culture shock comedy. Ares could be stronger. He’s out of the action for most of the script and his ultimate plot is a little underwhelming. The bottled water conspiracy aspect of Ares’ plan is strange and a little inappropriately comedic. It’s distracting and makes it hard to take him seriously. There are a few cliché scenes standard to superhero origins we’re seen a thousand times, such as Diana’s first encounter with one-dimensional thugs in the modern world.

Prospects:

This is a fine example of what a good Wonder Woman script could be, feminist, action-packed and entertaining, with a strong characterization of Diana. But it is quite hard to sell a tent-pole comic book movie on spec. We’re long overdue for a Wonder Woman movie, and with the Man of Steel sequel building up to a Justice League film the time is ripe. However, Warner Brothers/DC is much more likely to go with an established writer, with a story of their choice.***

I think this review was really fair in terms of giving an accurate assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of my script.

So, The Black List is not a great way to gain exposure for an IP-specific script. But it *can be* a great way to get professional feedback on such a script.

I went ahead and plunked out the money for a professional review on The Black List. I thought I would share it here for the benefit of other writers who are in my situation: NOT trying to become professional scriptwriters, but rather more general writers who are narrowly interested in a specific Intellectual Property (IP).

In general, the Bitter Script Reader's advice is right. The Black List is not a great way to get exposure for your IP-specific work.

HOWEVER, the reviews are well worth it. As you'll see, the review I got was very fair and very knowledgeable about the Wonder Woman franchise.

***Logline:

Warrior princess DIANA journeys from her secluded Amazon island- frozen in ancient Greek mythology- to the modern world. Diana must team with COLONEL STEVE TREVOR to stop an evil plot by ARES, the God of War.

Strengths:

“Wonder Woman” is a faithful, sincere, and exciting adaptation of the most famous super-heroine in comics. Diana is a likeable and well-written heroine. She is believable new and skeptical to the modern world of men, but she comes to adopt it, accept her responsibility and rise to the occasion to save the world. It is refreshing that Steve is not portrayed as chauvinistic or incompetent to contrast with Diana. He is a competent and likeable supporting character, providing a valuable ally to Diana without detracting from her as the lead. The tone is good and manages to portray the Greek mythology and Wonder Woman’s comic book character without being campy. It takes its subject material seriously, but is still a lot of fun. The action scenes are great, and we can see Diana’s fighting prowess why she truly is the warrior princess. There are good visuals as well. The lizard men are especially menacing and make for a good threat for Diana to fight.

Weaknesses:

The script is a little short, a little light, and could be more epic for Wonder Woman's cinematic debut. Diana’s introduction to the modern world is a little inconsistent. She comes to America fluent in English, but she has to keep asking questions about simple protocol and slang terms, just for the sake of some mild culture shock comedy. Ares could be stronger. He’s out of the action for most of the script and his ultimate plot is a little underwhelming. The bottled water conspiracy aspect of Ares’ plan is strange and a little inappropriately comedic. It’s distracting and makes it hard to take him seriously. There are a few cliché scenes standard to superhero origins we’re seen a thousand times, such as Diana’s first encounter with one-dimensional thugs in the modern world.

Prospects:

This is a fine example of what a good Wonder Woman script could be, feminist, action-packed and entertaining, with a strong characterization of Diana. But it is quite hard to sell a tent-pole comic book movie on spec. We’re long overdue for a Wonder Woman movie, and with the Man of Steel sequel building up to a Justice League film the time is ripe. However, Warner Brothers/DC is much more likely to go with an established writer, with a story of their choice.***

Again, I think this was a very fair review and very useful feedback for me. But it obviously *doesn't* help me to get my script in front of WB execs. So I think that other writers in my situation should consider The Black List for the strengths of their reviews rather than for the opportunity of exposure.

About Me

I've been reading scripts in Hollywood for over ten years. In that time I've read for Oscar-winning production companies, and one of the "Big Five" agencies, among others. I'm here to share what I've learned.... mostly because I'm sick of reading bad scripts.

I'm that guy you need to get past at the agencies and production companies; the first one in the office to read the script.